Ball retriever



28, 1956 w. G. WATSON 2,760,807

BALL RETRIEVER Filed Feb. 3, 1955 Will/21m 6. Watson INVEN TOR.

8) k W MW United States Patent Ofitice 2,760,807 Patented Aug. 28, 1956 BALL RETRIEVER William G. Watson, Elfingham, 11].

Application February 3, 1955, Serial No. 485,930

1 Claim. (Cl. 294-19) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in golf ball retrievers, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising a unique construction and arrangement of parts whereby a multiplicity of golf balls may be expeditiously picked up and stored without the necessity of bending over or stooping.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide, in a retriever of the type comprising a tube for the reception of the balls, novel means for retaining said balls in said tube. v

Other objects of the invention are to provide a golf ball retriever of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, light in Weight, attractive in appearance, highly etficient and reliable in use and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a golf ball retriever constructed in accordance with the present invention in use;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section through the device, taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a detail View in perspective of one of the ball retaining cups or rings.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a tube 5, open at both ends, which tube is of a diameter and length to accommodate a plurality of golf balls, as at 6. The tube 5 may be of any suitable material, preferably a rigid or stiff, attractively colored but transparent plastic. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 3 of the drawing, the end portions of the tube 5 have formed therein a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures or openings 7.

Ball retaining cups or rings 8 of suitable resilient material are removably mounted on the end portions of the tube 5. As the ball retaining rings 8 are identical, a detailed description of one will suflice for both.

Each ring 8 includes, in its inner end portion, a plurality of integral, inwardly projecting spaced anchoring lugs 9 which are engageable in the openings 7 for removably securing said ring on the tube. The ring 8 projects beyond the end of the tube 5 and has formed therein a shoulder 10 providing a seat for said tube. The projecting end portion of the ring 8 is internally flared, at at 11, to provide a funnel for aligning the ball to be picked up with the tube and directing said ball thereinto. Then, the ring 8 further includes a plurality of internal, tapered, flexible and yieldable ball retaining lips 12 on the inner end of the funnel for holding the balls in the tube. The lips 12 are spaced from each other, as at 13. The passages 13 provide drain channels for moisture or water which may enter the tube.

It is thought that the operation or use of the retriever will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, either end of the device may be used for picking up the balls. To retrieve a ball resting on the ground or other surface, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, one of the rings 8 is engaged therewith and pressed downwardly thereon. In this manner, the ball is forced past the flexible lips 12 into the tube 5 where it is retained by said lips. This operation may be repeated until the tube 5 is full or substantially so. To empty the device, either of the rings 5 is removed to permit the balls to be poured from the tube 5 in an obvious manner. The resilient lugs 9 permit the rings 8 to be readily removed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

A ball retriever comprising: a cylindrical tube open at one end for the reception of a ball and having circumferentially spaced apertures therein, and a resilient ring mounted on the tube and having anchoring lugs therein engaged in the apertures, said ring including an internal shoulder at an intermediate point abutting the open end of the tube and further including an integral funnel on one end projecting beyond the open end of the tube and aligned therewith for directing the ball thereinto, said funnel including a tapered inner end portion projecting into the tube from the shoulder and having spaced slots therein providing a plurality of arcuate, resilient lips, said lips being yieldable for the passage of the ball and engageable therebeneath for retaining said ball in the tube, said slots defining drain passages for the tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 713,672 Oliver Nov. 18, 1902 2,027,546 MacDonald Jan. 14, 1936 2,551,486 Burden May 1, 1951 2,706,657 Talley Apr. 19, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,601 Great Britain Feb. 13, 1902 

